[faithbw]

This is just another example of how publishers are being short sighted with their e-book policy. One of the reasons I brought a Nook and then a Sony was because I would be able to borrow from the library. I understand that publishers worry that library e-books can be easily pirated but I seriously doubt the majority of borrowers even have that as a thought. Additionally, before most of the major publishers pulled e-books from libraries, Overdrive already had draconian terms governing how the books could be lent. E-books were treated like print books (only a set number of copy could be loaned at a time, libraries had to buy licenses for each copy, etc.). Additionally, e-books often cost more for libraries than print books. The publishers were already being greedy!

The publishers are fighting a losing battle. This isn't going to make more people buy their books. It's only going to make more people look at cheap alternatives like $0.99 e-books on Amazon or free alternatives in terms of the dark net. It will also make libraries look to cheaper and available alternatives as well.

Publishers need to face reality. The digital revolution has finally reached books. They should either get down or lay down and stop trying to save a dying sales model that worked well in the print work but will kill them in the digital world.